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When looking for ways to clean and organize your manufacturing facility, or your home, you have many options from which to choose. One of these options is the use of plastic storage bins. However, while these bins can offer a wide array of benefits to those who use them, there are some instances when they might not make the most sense. In this article, I will discuss a few of the reasons why you might not want to use plastic storage bins, and why another alternative might make more sense for you.

Cheap Plastic Storage Bins Aren’t Necessarily The Cheapest Option

Sure, things that are made out of plastic have a reputation for being cheap. However, plastic storage bins are not always the least expensive option in some instances. If you are storing things around your house, then you might want to consider cardboard boxes instead of plastic storage bins, as they are usually less expensive. Of course, this is true as long as the boxes are being kept in a climate-controlled environment, and they aren’t going to be moved around a whole lot. So, if you’re tight on money and are just looking to organize things around the house, then cardboard containers might be your better bet.

An Assortment Of Plastic Storage Bins From FlexContainer.com

Plastic Storage Bins Are Not The Most Environmentally-Friendly Option

If one of your main concerns happens to be the protection of the environment, then you might want to look toward another storage option. This is because plastic storage bins are not biodegradable. If you throw them away, then they will sit in a landfill for the rest of eternity. It may also cause animals to ingest some of the plastic, causing them problems. If you’re looking for something that is biodegradable, then you might want to look to cardboard boxes instead. It should also be mentioned that while most plastics can be recycled, the process is somewhat complicated due to the many different plastics that are currently on the market. In order for plastics to be recycled, they must first be sorted by the type of plastic, which can present a headache in itself. It is much easier to recycle things that are made out of glass or tin. Also, if you want the ultimate in reusable, then go with a metal storage bin that’s made out of aluminum or stainless steel. It should also be mentioned that virtually all plastics are derived from petrochemicals, so if you have a moral objection to the use of fossil fuels, then you might want to look elsewhere for your storage options. Perhaps, glass might be the thing for you.

Not As Durable As Other Options

If you need your storage containers to be able to handle a lot of abuse, then you might not want to go with plastic storage boxes, because they’re not quite as durable as aluminum or stainless steel containers. Metal storage bins are stronger and more impact resistant than their plastic counterparts.

Plastic Isn’t So Good In High-Temperature Environments

If you need something that is going to be used in extremely high-temperature environments, like baking in an oven, then don’t use plastic storage bins. Most plastics will melt at temperatures of 350 degrees Fahrenheit and above. At high temperatures that are lower than that, most plastics will at least warp, and may discolor over time. If you need dimensional stability at high temperatures, then you should consider metal storage bins.

If you need a storage option for keeping food, then you may want to exercise caution when dealing with plastic food storage containers. That is because many plastics contain chemicals like phthalates and bisphenol-A, that have been linked to cancer and other health problems. The concern with these plastics is that the chemicals will leach out of the plastic and into the food, which could then make the user sick. In food storage, plastic storage bins that are made from polystyrene, polycarbonate, and PVC should be avoided for this very reason. If you have to use a plastic container for food storage, then polypropylene is very safe for you to use. If you need something that will work at all times in food storage applications, then you should probably go with stainless steel containers.

Higher costs than cardboard, less durability than metal storage bins, the presence of potentially harmful chemicals, and not being biodegradable are just a few of the reasons why you might not want to use plastic storage bins. Before selecting any storage option, carefully evaluate the benefits and the drawbacks of each option as they apply to you.